Men given a pregnant pause for thought in Colne

Photo: David Hurst'Customer Services Manager at Colne Sainsbury's, Lee Russell, tries out the 'Empathy Baby' on the Airedale General Hospital Midwives stall in the store. Helping him and explaining its use are, Lead Midwife of Parent Education and Supervisor of Midwives, Clare Luby, left and Lead Midwife of Parent Educatiion, Caroline Lowe.

Published:12:00Saturday 29 November 2014

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Men visiting a Colne supermarket had the chance to experience what it is like to be pregnant - albeit not for nine months.

An empathy belly was brought to Sainsbury’s. in Windy Bank, during a visit from Airedale Hospital midwives.

The device imitates the look and feel of a pregnancy, and was tried on by a number of men, including Colne Sainsbury’s customer services manager Lee Russell,

As well as having fun with the belly, the midwives also spent time on handing out advice and answering questions from local women and their families.

Caroline Lowe and Clare Luby, both parent education midwives at the hospital, were on hand to speak to people planning to have a baby, mums-to-be or those wanting more information.

Caroline Lowe, parent education midwife at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust said, “We had a great turn out and spoke to lots of people and it was really good to get out into the community and help answer any questions. We had a lot of fun showing people our empathy belly, which imitates the look and feel of a pregnancy.”

The stand also had information about the free parent education classes that are run at the hospital for people planning to give birth at Airedale. For more information visit www.airedale-trust.nhs.uk/services/maternity-services/parent-education or email parenteducation@anhst.nhs.uk